Ferryhill Athletic celebrated their first win of the season defeating rival strugglers Washington Nissan UK 3-2 when Andrew Howard took the man-of-the-match honours.

He bagged a brace of goals inside 19 minutes and after Kyle Sumner reduced the deficit, Howard completed his hat-trick to put Ferryhill 3-1 up in the 67th minute.

Nissan again hit back through Ian Dodd but Ferryhill held on to move two places off the basement.

Shotton Comrades were another side to improve their position near the bottom with a 2-0 victory at home to Windscale. Michael Pittam broke the deadlock on 53 minutes and Michael Watson scored a crucial second goal with 15 minutes remaining.

Wolviston conceded first half goals to Stephen Fyall and Danny Nixon and were unable to recover at Cleadon SC while Ryhope CW crashed to a 4-0 defeat at Whitehaven for whom Craig Robson claimed a hat-trick. Roy Robson was also on target.

Michael Meek (2) and David Hopper steered Boldon CA to a 3-1 success at home to Cleator Moor Celtic and after trailing by a couple of goals, Birtley Town gained a point against Harton and Westoe.

The visitors could hardly have made a better start, scoring twice in nine minutes courtesy of David Myers and Ian Archibald. Paul Bryson reduced the arrears in the 35th minute and three minutes later Archibald was sent off leaving Harton to play 52 minutes with ten men.

Even so, Birtley found it difficult to break down a resolute defence and they managed just one goal from Bryson.

Darlington RA enjoyed a 4-1 victory at Jarrow in the Wearside League Cup.

Michael Carter put them two up by the 20th minute and after Mark Weldon struck for the home side, Carter completed his hat-trick and Nigel Bolton also found the net.

New Marske and Sport Catterick both progressed in the North Riding County Cup.

Goals by Billy Millington (2), Michael Trainor and Adam Taylor earned New Marske their passage at Kirby Moorside for whom Dave Gardner scored twice.

Sport Catterick visited Stokesley SC Reserves and secured a 4-0 result courtesy of Sam Vernalls, Mark Stephenson, Carl Handley and Kurt Tasker.

Stokesley SC represented the North Riding FA in the Inter County Cup losing 3-2 to Westmorland's Kendal. Jonathan Newton, James Allsop and Craig Johnson netted for the Teessiders.

Gateshead Reserves, who had played only two games, resumed their fixtures at Winlaton Hallgarth where they lost 2-1 in the Durham Trophy. Stephen Fallon was their scorer.